But the pressure got to the home side and Leicester hit back with two in two minutes thanks to a good finish from substitute Paul Dickov and a screamer from Muzzy Izzet in the 79th minute.

But with three minutes left Leeds fashioned a winner when James Milner crossed from the left, Viduka chested the ball down and Alan Smith smashed in a low, hard shot.

Gray was overjoyed by the fight shown by his side, and said: "We decided to push forward and it was important we got a good response [after Izzet equalised].

"They would have been delighted with a point but I was pleased with how our players responded. There are some disappointed lads in the dressing room though because they know we should have won the game easily."

Gray was dismayed at the "silly" late sending-off of Viduka, who was given a second booking in the final minute for kicking the ball away at a Leicester free-kick.

"It is a big blow to lose Mark. It was silly, he knows that himself, but sometimes these things happen in football," he said.

"I thought the players handled the pressure well tonight. I said before we had to win our home games and pick up points on our travels. The fans feel the pressure too obviously, so I'm pleased for them."

For former Leeds player Micky Adams, it was an odd night as his side first seemed set for defeat, then threatened a glorious comeback before succumbing to the late goal by Smith.

The win for Leeds keeps it tight at the bottom as the Whites now join Leicester on 28 points, albeit with a vastly inferior goal difference, with 17th-placed Portsmouth just two points further ahead. "I think that was the A-Z of emotions," Adams said. "The first half wasn't good enough, Leeds wanted it more than us and certainly they came out with more steel and determination.

"Both keepers played well and at 2-2 I thought we were going to win it but they've scored from our corner.

"Smith and Viduka played well all night but I think the defeat was self-inflicted.

"We weren't close enough to them, we let them turn, and that's not good enough in the Premier League."

Adams refused to countenance relegation was a foregone conclusion.

"Are we down? No. Credit to Leeds, that win has put them back in the frame but we are not talking about being relegated," he said.